Maharashtra Signs ₹150 Crore MoU to Build Electric Boat Manufacturing Facility for Mumbai Water Metro

The Maharashtra government has signed a ₹150 crore memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Zoya Marine Services to establish an electric boat manufacturing facility in Sindhudurg district, supporting the state’s plans to develop Mumbai’s proposed water metro network.

The agreement was signed on 9 July at Mantralaya in the presence of Ports and Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane.

Manufacturing Facility Planned in Sindhudurg

The new facility will be developed on nearly 22 acres at Talawane in Sawantwadi taluka, Sindhudurg district.

According to the state government, the plant will manufacture environmentally friendly, technologically advanced electric vessels for the proposed Mumbai Water Metro project, which has an estimated investment of ₹6,067 crore.

The water metro service is expected to commence operations as early as December 2026, subject to project timelines.

Supporting Mumbai’s Water Metro Expansion

The Mumbai Water Metro project is planned to cover approximately 250 kilometres of waterways, connecting key locations including Mumbai Port, Vasai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Bandra, Worli and Panvel.

The proposed network will comprise:

• 21 water metro routes
• 49 terminals
• 207 electric boats

The project will be implemented jointly by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), with construction planned in three phases between 2029 and 2036.

Boost to Green Shipbuilding

The state government said the manufacturing facility is expected to support the adoption of cleaner marine transport technologies while strengthening Maharashtra’s shipbuilding ecosystem.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Nitesh Rane said the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is working to attract investment into the maritime sector.

According to the minister, the project is expected to support the development of advanced water metro vessels, create employment opportunities in Sindhudurg and promote modern shipbuilding technologies.

Officials also discussed project implementation, technical collaboration, investment, skill development, employment generation and long-term growth opportunities for Maharashtra’s maritime industry.